Cushioning pad



March 21, 1933- c. s. HAMERSLEY CUSHIONING PAD Filed Feb. 27. 1932INVENTOR g4! JWJQ; {W TTORN3 Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CARL S. HAMERSLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CU SHIONIN' G PAD Application filed February 27, 1982. Serial No.595,447.

My present invention relates generally to laminated materials, and hasparticular reference to an improved cushioning pad. In the packaging andtransportation of frangible commodities, such as fresh grapes or freshpears, it is desirable and customary to provide a padding or cushion onthe inside of the crate, usually on the bottom; and frequently, alongthe sides and over the goods. It has been the practice, for example, toemploy a cushion of the more or less conventional character wherein amass of excelsior or the like is enveloped in tissue paper.

It is one of the principal objects of my present invention to provideanimproved cushioning pad of the foregoing general character; andalthough it is primarily designed and adapted for use in connection withthe transportation of such materials as fresh grapes or the like,nevertheless it will be understood that many phases of my invention donot restrict its use to such a specific purose;

p A cushion of the character mentioned must be not only light in weightand especially resistant to crushin but it must be of particularly greatyiedability and resilience, coupled with inherent softness. Furthermore, it should be adapted to absorb or accommodate such fruitjuices as may possibly leak from the goods due to accidental crush ingof some of the fruit or possible fracture of the fruit skin. Especiallyin the case of grapes and pears, and similar juicy fruits having tenderskins, it is not unlikely that one or more skin fractures willinadvertently exist when the fruit is packed or be caused after thefruit is crated; and this is likely to occur even when the greatestpossible care is taken to avoid it. Such fractures result not only inconsiderable leakage of juices, but render the fruit even moresusceptible to further injury.

Another requirement of a padding of the character mentioned is that itbe of a character which will not interfere with the free circulation ofair through the crate. It is not only essential that the fruit be keptin a fresh condition between the time that it is packed and the timethat it is sold, usually at a very remote point, but during thetransportation it is necessary that all poi bions of the crate beaccessible to the refrigeration to which the oods are subjected duringtransit.

In accordance with my present invention, I aim to provide a cushioningpad which complies admirably with all of the foregoing requirements, andwhich is at the same time inexpensive not only from the standpoint ofthe material used but also as to manufacture and use.

I have found that corrugated sheet mate: rial, such as light and unsizedpaper, has peculiar properties when a number of sheets of it arearranged in stacked relationship with the corrugations arranged inalternate transverse manner, which permits the provision of a cushioninpad of unusually advantageous characteristics, especially where the padis to be used for the purpose hereinbefore illustratively specified. Mypresent construction differs from ordinary and conventional corrugatedboard, however, in that it is not inherently stiff and rigid but on thecontrary, soft and resiliently yieldable, being comparatively massiveand truly embodyin g all the desirable features of a cushion asdistinguished from a mere reinforcement or rotective.

ne of the features of my present invention, as a result of which mypresent desirable objectives are capable of achievement, lies in thearrangement of a plurality of corrugated sheets in superposed butsubstantially independent and disconnected relationship. The majorportions of the several sheets enterin into my present cushion areentirely free from connection with adjacent sheets, as a result of whicheach sheet is freely adapted to expand or adjust itself in its ownplane. Where a stack of sheets, with corrugations arranged in alternatetransverse relationship, is provided with this free adjustahility ofindividual sheets, I have found remarkable cushioning qualities andcapabilities to result. In order to. provide a unitary device capable ofeasy handling, shipping, and manipulation, it is a feature of myinvention to hold the stacked sheets together only at substantiallyspaced spots,

thereby preventing relative rotation of the sheets but still permittingfreedom of adjustment of each sheet in its own plane.

In a preferred embodiment, my present cushioned pad is composed ofsheets of polygonal contour, for example, rectangular; and the sheetsare stacked in registry and are loosely held together at certaincorners, for example, at the four corners of a substantially rectangularpad. \Vhere the cushion is constructed ina substantially rectangularform, I have found further that a bindingtogether at only the cornersproduces the highly desirable result of causing the stack to bulge orbelly at the center. This increases the cushioning qualities, ashereinafter more fully pointed out.

It is another feature of my invention to employ a relatively delicateand frangible binding means whereby the cushioning devices are suitablyheld together as units only to an extent suflicient for them to retaintheir unitary nature until they are used. A subsequent breakage of thebinding means is thus encouraged, as a result of which still furtherfreedom of independent adjustability of the component sheets isaccomplished.

Another feature of my invention lies in associating with a cushion ofthe present character a chemical or Chemicals which are mold-preventivein nature. Sometimes it is also desirable to provide one or more of thesheets, including the outer sheets, with perforations.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is aperspective view of a cushioning pad constructed in accordance with mypresent invention, a portion being broken away;

Figure 2 1s a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of a slightlymodified construction;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional View through one form of bindingmeans; and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a modified type ofbinding means.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, I have shown the employmentof five superposed sheets 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. Each of these sheetsis preferably composed of relatively light and unsized paper ofrectangular shape, and is corrugated in a direction parallel to one ofthe edges. These layers or sheets are superposed in stacked relationshipso that the edges are in registry and so that a substantiallyrectangular stack is produced. Preferably, the dimensions of the stackare substantially equal to the dimensions of the base of aerate intowhich the device is to be insertedpit being understood that the grapesor similar commodities are thereafter to be rested directly upon thepadding thus produced.

It is to be noted that the corru ations are arranged in alternatetransverse relationship, and that there are no intermediate layers ofany kind between the several sheets. It is further to be observed thatthe sheets are not adhesively united, and that they are substantiallyfree and independent, one from the other, except in so far as thebinding means hereinafter referred to is concerned.

In Figure 1, I have bound the sheets into a unitary stack by means offour thin and frangible staples 15, these staples being arranged at thecorners of the stack. The corrugated nature of the sheets, and thealternate relationship thereof, results in the production of a belliedstack, as illustrated.

Merely by way of example, I will state that a device constructed asshown in Figure 1 may be approximately fourteen inches square, and-jevenwhere only five sheets of paper are employed a thickness ofapproximately one inch is produced at the center. It will be understoodthat the drawing is exaggerated for the sake of clearly explaining theinvention and that the thickness of each sheet is not proportionately asgreat as the drawing might seem to indicate. Where a pad of this type isapplied to the base of a crate which is used, for example, in thepackaging of grapes, an extremely efficient cushioning effect isachieved. The pressure exerted by the grapes (or similar commodities)upon the pad is yieldably counteracted by the pad which is, in a sense,a virtual air cushion for the goods. When the pad yields, the individualsheets tend to expand wherever pressure is applied',- since thecorrugations at such areas are induced to flatten out. The flattening ofeach sheet is, however, at right angles to the direction in which theadjacent sheet or sheets tend to flatten or ex of which any given pres-'pand, as a result sure is efliciently distributed and dissipated. Sinceeach sheet has its major portion entirely disconnected from the adjacentsheet or sheets, it is enabled individually and independently to expandin its own plane. If the sheets were united, no such result wouldobtain, and a rigid and unyielding reinforcement effect, of nocushioning value whatsoever, would probably result.

In Figure 2, I have shown a modification wherein each of a plurality ofsheets 16-20 is provided with perforations 21. It will be understoodthat the perforations 21 are haphazardly provided and that they do notnecessarily register with the perforations of the adjacent sheets.Furthermore, although it is desirable to provide these perforations inthe outer sheets 20 and 16, it is optional whether they be provided inthe intermediate sheets.

The perforations of Figure 2 enhance the freedom of circulation of airthrough the cushion, and they serve further to provide additionalfacility for leaking fluids to be absorbed by and accommodated withinthe pad itself. Furthermore, where the pad is provided with amold-preventive of some sort, such as borax or copper sulphate,theperforations 21 increase the dissemination of fumes or the like.

In Figure 3, I have shown a construction wherein a staple 22 is employedto hold five sheets 23-27 in stacked relationship, and wherein thestaple 22 engages only the outer sheets 23 and27. The inner sheets areeach provided with an oversized aperture 28 through which the staple 22may pass. This arrangement enhances the freedom of movement of theintermediate sheets 2426.

In Figure 4, I have illustrated a binding means of especialfrangibility. Five sheets 29-33 are stacked, and are provided withregistering apertures 34 through which a tab 35, .integrally formed onthe sheet 33, for example, may pass. This tab is crimped over theopposite outer sheet 29 in the manner shown, and serves to hold thesheets together as a unit, but since this tab is composed of paper, andsince the connection between the sheets is obviously frail, it usuallyhappens that the pad, after it is inserted into the crate, willdisintegrate either partially or wholly into its separate individualsheets. When this occurs, the freedom of expansion and adjustability ofthe individual sheets is enhanced, 'whereby the cushioning effect isbenefited.

Another manner in which a plurality of sheets may be bound together in afrangible manner is by uniting them, at superposed spots, as, forexample, in place of any of the staples or tabs illustrated, by means ofspots of paste or glue. The sheets would then be virtually spot weldedto hold them in the form of a unitary stack, and I have found this 5arrangement satisfactory in holding the deyices together to an extentsufficient to permit them to be shipped, handled, and inserted into thedesired crates. Thereafter, if one or more of the spot welds breaks, itwill be only because one or more of the sheets has tended to expand inits own plane, an adjustment that is desirable.

In applying a mold-preventive, as hereinbefore mentioned, it will beunderstood that I do not mean to limit myself to any particular chemicalnor to the employment thereof in either solid or liquid form, or to anyparticular means of applying or asso'iating it to or with the pad. Itmay, for example, be sprayed or coated on one or more of the surfaces ofthe sheets; or it might be accommodated in solid form between thesheets.

Furthermore, it will be understood that my invention is not restrictedto any particular type of binding means, and that the staples hereinillustrated have been shown merely by way of example. So far assimplicity and efficiency of manufacture and use are concerned, staplesarranged as shown in the drawing have proven eminently satisfactory.

It will also be understood that staples or similar binding means neednot necessarily be arranged at the corners of the device, although thisarrangement has proven to be satisfactory and desirable in many cases,especially where the pad is substantially rectangular.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the individual sheets need notnecessarily be five in number, although five stacked sheets provide apad of approximately those dimensions and characteristics which renderit most suitable for the purpose herein mentioned. Also, although thesheets are preferably of absorbent paper, it will be understood thatother materials of similar characteristics may be employed where themanner of action and cooperation and the effe: t produced aresubstantially equivalent to the description herein contained.

In general, it will be obvious that changes in the details hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. ed that these details be interpreted as illustrative. and not ina limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A cushion of thecharacter described, comprising a plurality of corrugated sheetsarranged in stacked relationship with the (orrugations of each sheetarranged transverse to those of each adjacent sheet. each sheet havingthe major portion thereof free of connection with the adjacent sheet orsheets to permit'independent expansion of each sheet in its own plane.

2. A cushion of the character described, comprising a plurality ofcorrugated sheets arranged in stacked relationship with the corrugationsof each sheet arrangedtransverse to those of each adjacent sheet, andmeans for holding said sheets together to prevent'relative rotationthereof but permitting independent expansion of each sheet in its ownplane.

3. A cushion of the character described.

comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets having the major portionthereof free of con- It is therefore intcndnection with the other sheetsso as to be freely expansible in its own plane.

4. A cushion of the character described, comprising a stack ofpolygonal, corrugated sheets arranged with their corners in registry butwith the corrugations of each sheet ranged transverse to those of eachadjacent sheet, and means arranged only at the corners of the stack forbinding it into a unit, each sheet being thereby freely expansible inits own plane.

6. A cushionof the character described, comprising a plurality ofcorrugated sheets arranged in stacked relationship with the corrugationsof each sheet arranged transverse to those of each adjacent sheet, eachsheet having the major portion thereof free of connection with theadjacent sheet or sheets to permit independent expansion of each sheetin its own plane: certain sheets, including the outer ones, beingprovided with perforations.

7. A cushion of the character described, comprising a plurality ofcorrugated sheets arranged in stacked relationship with the corrugationsof each sheet arranged transverse to those of each djacent sheet, eachsheet having the .major portion thereof free of connection with theadjacent sheet or sheets to permit independent expansion of each sheetin its own plane; and a moldpreventive carried by said sheets.

8. A cushion of the character described, comprising a plurality of corruated sheets arranged in stacked relationshlp with the corrugations ofeach sheet arranged transverse to those of each adjacent sheet, eachsheet having the major portion thereof free of connection with theadjacent sheet or sheets to permit independent expansion of each sheetin its own plane; a mold-preventive carried by said sheets, and certainsheets, including the outer ones, being providpd with perforations.

9. A cushion of the character described, adapted to bolster cratedcommodities such as fresh grapes, comprising a stack of-corrugated,absorbent paper sheets arranged with the corrugations alternatelytransverse to one another, and means binding the stack into a unit onlyat substantially spaced spots,

whereby the sheets are freely and independ- 5 ently adjustable in theirown planes.

10. A cushion of the character described,

CARL S. HAMERSLEY.

